"Open it."
After a moment of silence, a low voice came from behind the door.
Though Jiafu had already guessed who might be inside, hearing that vaguely familiar voice emerge from behind the door in this place and at this moment still startled her greatly.
It was the end of the year, and the court was swamped with internal affairs and even more so with external matters. Half a month ago, while the Pei family was immersed in mourning the passing of the Dowager, many vassal states—such as Goryeo, Annam, Champa, and Ryukyu—sent their chieftains, princes, or envoys to the capital one after another to pay tribute. Additionally, envoys from places like Meng Mu and Ü-Tsang also arrived. The Court of State Ceremonial handled the receptions, while the Ministry of Rites arranged daily audiences and banquets. The emperor’s daily busyness was beyond imagination.
Yet now, the voice from behind the door was unmistakable—just as she had suspected, it was indeed Emperor Xiao Lie.
Pei You'an was even more shocked than she was.
The moment he heard that voice, his sword-wielding hand froze abruptly.
As the words faded, accompanied by the faint creak of the door pivots, the double doors opposite slowly opened. The eunuch Li Yuangui stood behind the threshold and said in a low voice, "Lord Pei, the Imperial Presence is here. You must not act disrespectfully."
Pei You'an’s gaze swept over Li Yuangui’s head and landed on the figure standing in the center of the snowy ground behind him.
The figure was cloaked from head to toe, entirely concealed in darkness. At first, it stood motionless like a statue, then slowly raised its arms and removed the hood, revealing the face of a middle-aged man.
A gaunt face, under the snow’s glow, took on a faint bluish pallor, while his eyebrows appeared even blacker, his eyes flickering slightly in the night.
Pei You'an immediately sheathed his sword and knelt, pressing his forehead to the ground. "Your servant pays homage to Your Majesty. I did not know Your Majesty was here earlier and have committed an offense. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
Jiafu also followed Pei You'an and knelt in the snow.
Li Yuangui had already stepped aside to make way.
Xiao Lie said, "Ignorance is no crime. Both of you, rise."
Pei You'an expressed his gratitude and rose with Jiafu. For a moment, the two inside the door and the two outside stood in silence across the threshold, the atmosphere suddenly turning eerie. After a pause, Pei You'an suddenly spoke again: "Earlier today, I was here to remove a withered tree from the Ancestral Hall to prevent it from collapsing and damaging the Lotus Platform enshrining our ancestors. As it grew late and descending the mountain was inconvenient, my wife and I decided to stay overnight at the temple. Unable to sleep, I brought her here to mourn my aunt. I did not expect to disturb Your Majesty. That Your Majesty does not blame me is my greatest fortune."
His tone was full of reverence as he explained to the emperor why he had come here with his wife at this hour. After speaking, his gaze turned toward the emperor.
This courtyard was where Pei Wenjing had spent her final days during her illness. Since the reign of Prince Shun'an, it had gradually fallen into disuse, becoming almost a private property of the Pei family. Apart from memorial ceremonies led by the Pei family, outsiders were rarely seen here throughout the year.
Tonight, Pei You'an bringing his wife to mourn his aunt was perfectly justified. But in the dead of night, the current emperor had also appeared here, his presence so secretive.
The implication in Pei You'an’s words was unmistakable.
The emperor remained silent.The atmosphere grew peculiar once more. For Jiafu, who was privy to the underlying circumstances, it even seemed as though she could faintly sense a trace of awkwardness emanating from the emperor.
Jiafu stole a glance at the figure blocked inside the doorway. After a brief hesitation, she bowed slightly toward the door, breaking the silence as she said softly, "This humble wife should not linger. I shall take my leave first..."
The emperor gave a light cough, and Li Yuangui promptly spoke up: "The late Dowager Pei once showed great kindness to Your Majesty. Her passing has brought Your Majesty profound grief. He had intended to pay a private visit of condolence earlier, but with countless affairs of state demanding attention, not a moment could be spared until tonight when he finally managed to leave the palace. Upon arriving at the temple, recalling the innocent friendship of his youth with Lord Pei's aunt, he was moved to stop by and pay his respects."
Jiafu glanced discreetly at Pei You'an.
His expression remained unchanged, revealing nothing of his thoughts as he lowered his eyes slightly and replied respectfully, "This subject has disturbed Your Majesty. If there is nothing further, I shall take my leave."
He bowed to the emperor and, taking Jiafu with him, retreated seven or eight steps before finally turning to lead her away.
As Jiafu walked alongside Pei You'an, she dared not look back, yet she could distinctly feel Xiao Lie's gaze lingering on their retreating figures.
"You'an, remain here. We have further words for you!"
After they had gone several dozen paces and were about to turn the corner of the path, the emperor's voice suddenly called out again from behind.
Pei You'an halted and slowly turned around.
Li Yuangui had already hurried over to stand near them, addressing Jiafu: "His Majesty has words for Lord Pei. Might the lady wait here awhile? This servant will keep you company."
His tone was exceedingly polite.
Jiafu quickly replied, "You are too kind, sir. I shall wait here."
Though Li Yuangui was a eunuch, Pei You'an knew he had been skilled in archery and horsemanship in his youth. After a brief contemplation as he glanced at the shadowy figure standing within the courtyard gate ahead, Pei You'an said to Li Yuangui, "I leave her in your care," then turned and strode inside.
The desolate garden lay frozen under cold snow, heaven and earth locked in winter's grip. The emperor stood with hands clasped behind his back at the center of the snowy ground, his expression rigid.
Pei You'an knelt once more before the figure ahead and kowtowed. "What are Your Majesty's commands?"
Xiao Lie seemed to snap out of his thoughts.
"Come with Us," he said, turning to tread through the snow before pushing open a door and entering.
Pei You'an watched the retreating back, then rose from the ground and followed him inside, closing the door behind them.
The room's windows and doors were tightly shut, leaving the interior dimly lit and unusually cold. A faint musty odor of dust assailed their nostrils.
Pei You'an stood by the door, observing as the emperor slowly walked to a long table. Raising his hand, the emperor ran his fingers across its surface as if lost in thought.
Pei You'an remained silent, watching quietly.
"You'an, having been away handling affairs for Us and then returning to the capital for mourning, there is one matter you may not yet know."
The emperor finally spoke, his tone indifferent: "We have decided to accept princesses from Goryeo and Annam into the palace. Following the Ministry of Rites' recommendation, We will also hold a selection of consorts come spring to replenish the imperial harem."
The envoys from Goryeo and Annam had not only brought tribute this time but also royal princesses who expressed their kingdoms' desire to form marital alliances with the emperor of Great Wei. Other envoys had also presented various beauties. The Ministry of Rites had submitted a memorial stating that His Majesty's imperial harem currently consisted of only the empress, and that—unlike former times—it was proper by regulation to replenish the imperial harem to better support the emperor."The Book of Rites states that the Son of Heaven should establish six palaces, as this concerns the dignity of the nation. Your Majesty is most wise," Pei You'an said respectfully.
The emperor remained silent for a moment before continuing, "Li Yuangui earlier concealed something from me. Thinking about it now, since we have met here, it must be the will of heaven, and there is no harm in telling you. My original intention in coming here tonight was merely to mourn your aunt. I never expected to encounter you and your wife here."
He paced slowly to the window, standing with his back to Pei You'an for a moment.
"Your aunt and I grew up together, but heaven did not grant our wishes, and we were forced to marry others. She was noble and pure, yet heaven envied her beauty—she passed away at a tender age, right here..."
"You'an, if I told you that your aunt's death was entirely my fault, would you hate me?"
The emperor's emotions seemed suddenly uncontrollable, his voice trembling slightly as he abruptly turned around.
Pei You'an froze momentarily but quickly composed himself. Hesitating briefly, he replied cautiously, "Your Majesty speaks too gravely. Even if it were as Your Majesty says, it must have been an unintentional mistake. If my aunt's spirit in heaven has forgiven the past, how could I dare to judge right or wrong?"
The emperor gazed at Pei You'an for a long time before finally nodding, his emotions seemingly calmed. His voice grew steadier as he spoke again.
"Tonight, at this moment, I regard you as a nephew rather than a subject, hence I have shared these old memories with you. To be honest, because of your aunt's death, I have felt as though a needle pricks my heart every moment of these years. Even in death, I may never forgive myself. Hearing your kind words brings me some solace. As for the affairs in Jingxiang, your wisdom in ceasing conflict and promoting benevolence was exceptional. You have stabilized the situation for me. Now that the elderly lady has passed away, I know you must be grieving deeply. Over these years, you have tirelessly served me without a moment's rest. I will appoint the person you recommended in your memorial as the prefect to govern the people in your stead. You should rest and recover. In due time, I will recall you to service as circumstances permit. How does that sound?"
Pei You'an bowed respectfully. "Your servant obeys the decree."
The emperor added, "You'an, remember this: no matter what happens in the future, I hope you will never conceal anything from me. Speak openly, and if it is within my power, I will grant it without hesitation."
Pei You'an thanked him once more.
The emperor looked at him in the dim snowlight, his gaze exceedingly gentle. After a moment of silence, he said, "Very well, I have nothing further. It is bitterly cold—take your wife and return home to rest early..."
At that moment, a low shout came from outside: "Who goes there?" The voice seemed to belong to Li Yuangui.
"Your Majesty, stay here! I will investigate!"
Pei You'an flung open the door and rushed outside. Under the moonlight, a black figure darted across the snow like a night owl.
Li Yuangui had already drawn the saber at his waist, shielding Jiafu while swiftly blowing a sharp whistle to summon the guards left outside the mountain gate for protection. Turning, he saw Pei You'an emerge and pointed toward a large tree dozens of paces away. "Lord Pei! The assassin was hiding in that tree!"
The guards arrived swiftly. Pei You'an ordered them to escort Jiafu inside to protect the emperor while he drew his sword and followed the footprints left in the snow, giving chase.
OpenNovel